We’ll trace the development of jazz from the Swing Era through Bebop, Cool, Hard Bop, Avant-Garde/Free Jazz, and Fusion to its present post-contemporary forms, giving attention to both major and specific jazz innovations. You’ll learn about the essential periods, schools, performers, and external aspects of American jazz from its origins to the present and be able to identify composers, compositions, schools, and styles from recorded examples. We’ll view portions of The Great Courses “Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion” (Professor Bill Messenger, 1995) and “Jazz History Review” (Professor Craig Bailey, 2023-24).

Moderator: Alvin Crawford majored in music in college. He is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UC, served as Assistant Instructor in Jazz History at the UC CCM in 2023 and 2024, and currently is a member of the Queen City Concert Band and the UC Alumni Band.